Energy

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2987: Generally revise oil and natural gas laws

Bill LC 2987, titled "Generally revise oil and natural gas laws," aimed to update regulations governing the oil and natural gas industry. However, the bill was assigned a drafter in December 2024, placed on hold in January 2025, and ultimately died in the legislative process by May 27, 2025. No specific provisions or mechanisms were detailed in the context, as the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage. Since it did not become law, it did not directly affect any industry or regulations. The legislative process for this bill concluded without any concrete policy changes.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill revises oil and natural gas laws, indicating support for fossil fuels over renewables, aligning with 'oppose' stance for energy transition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2789: Generally revise, solar energy laws to allow for community solar projects

LC 2789 aimed to revise solar energy laws to enable community solar projects, which allow multiple households or businesses to share benefits from a single solar installation - particularly helping renters or those with unsuitable roofs. The bill would have updated rules for grid connections, billing structures, and project eligibility to make these projects easier to implement. However, the bill died in committee on May 27, 2025, and did not become law. It did not advance to a vote or receive legislative action.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly revises solar energy laws to enable community solar projects, promoting renewable energy access and clean energy infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2611: Establish criteria for renewable resource grants and loans

This bill (LC 2611) intended to establish specific criteria for awarding state grants and loans to support renewable energy projects. It would have directly affected renewable energy developers and applicants seeking state funding by defining eligibility requirements and application processes. However, the bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, without becoming law. Therefore, no criteria were ever implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill intended to establish state grant/loan criteria for renewable energy projects, directly allocating public funds through budgetary mechanisms per its summary.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly aimed to establish criteria for state grants/loans supporting renewable energy projects, directly aligning with funding and advancing renewable energy infrastructure indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes criteria for state grants/loans to fund renewable energy projects, directly promoting clean energy development as an environmental protection measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Recycling Water Quality

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3191: Expanding opportunities for multifamily financing under commercial property assessed capital enhancements

LC 3191 aimed to expand financing options for multifamily property owners (like apartment buildings) to fund energy efficiency upgrades through property tax-based programs. The bill would have broadened eligibility for commercial property assessed capital enhancements (PACE), allowing more buildings to access low-cost loans repaid via property taxes. However, the bill died in the drafting process on May 27, 2025, and never advanced to a committee vote or floor debate. It remains a proposed measure with no legislative action taken.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy efficiency upgrades for multifamily properties through PACE financing, directly advancing energy efficiency standards per its summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds energy efficiency upgrades for multifamily properties, directly reducing energy consumption and emissions, aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 120: Revise commercial property assessed clean energy laws

HB 120 expands Montana's Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to include multifamily housing facilities with at least five residential units. This change directly affects property owners and developers of qualifying multifamily buildings (e.g., apartment complexes), allowing them to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through property assessments. The bill amends definitions to explicitly include these residential properties under the program, covering improvements like insulation, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. It maintains the existing financing mechanism where costs are repaid through property taxes over time, without requiring new debt or upfront payments from property owners. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands C-PACE financing for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades in multifamily housing, directly advancing clean energy adoption through property-assessed funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands C-PACE program to fund energy efficiency/renewable upgrades in multifamily housing, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 505: Generally revise zoning laws to prohibit the construction of wind generation facilities.

SB 505 would amend Montana's zoning laws to allow local governments to prohibit the construction of wind energy facilities by preventing utility companies from connecting power from these projects. Specifically, it targets subsection (28) of Section 7-1-111, which would permit local governments to block utility connections for wind generation facilities defined under state law. This bill directly affects wind energy developers and local planning authorities, as it removes a key barrier to project development. The policy change focuses on utility interconnection as the mechanism for restricting wind facility construction, rather than general zoning rules. The bill did not become law, as it died in committee in 2025.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks utility connections for wind projects, directly restricting renewable energy development per bill's zoning amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission Wind

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 314: Create a state energy authority

HB 314 proposed creating a State Energy Authority to help develop Montana's energy resources and improve electricity transmission within the state and regionally. This authority would consist of 14 members appointed by the governor, representing utilities, energy stakeholders, and state agencies. Its responsibilities would include planning, developing, and analyzing energy and transmission projects, coordinating with state agencies, and participating in regional energy initiatives. The bill also proposed funding the authority's activities through a special revenue account, using money from the wholesale energy transaction tax.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates State Energy Authority to develop resources and improve transmission infrastructure, directly advancing energy infrastructure development per bill summary.95% confidence

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 630: Require legislative approval of greenhouse gas rules

HB 630 requires that certain rules established by state departments, commissions, boards, or local authorities are not effective unless approved by the legislature. Specifically, any rules related to the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions or the calculation and application of the social cost of carbon must receive legislative approval at the next legislative session. This mechanism affects agencies that issue such environmental regulations, including those pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles. The bill ensures that the legislature has final say over these specific types of administrative rules.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRequires legislative approval for greenhouse gas regulations, delaying or blocking environmental rules that advance clean energy standards and emissions reduction efforts.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequires legislative approval for greenhouse gas rules, adding barriers to environmental regulation implementation and weakening agency authority on emissions standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 228: Revise laws related to public charging stations for electric vehicles

SB 228 revises laws related to public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, affecting EV owners and charging station operators. The bill imposes a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity delivered to public charging stations, with specific effective dates for new and existing stations. It mandates that all public charging stations install a separate electric meter, with the owner responsible for installation costs. Additionally, the bill eliminates a future 30% reduction in state registration fees for electric vehicles. Public charging station operators are also required to register with the state and disclose their charging rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 3-cent/kWh tax on EV charging stations, directly increasing tax revenue under taxation policy for transportation infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates EV charging infrastructure improvements with tax for regulation, supporting renewable energy adoption and clean transportation infrastructure expansion.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes regulations and funding mechanisms for EV charging infrastructure, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through public charging station requirements and tax structure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 811: Increase the generating capacity for customer-generated electricity

HB 811 aimed to increase the maximum generating capacity for customer-generated electricity systems that use net metering. Currently, systems like those powered by solar, wind, or hydropower, which can feed excess electricity back to the grid, are limited to 50 kilowatts. This bill proposed to raise that capacity limit to 100 kilowatts. This change would directly affect customer-generators by allowing them to install larger renewable energy systems on their property and still qualify for net metering.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases renewable energy capacity limits for net metering, enabling larger customer solar/wind systems and promoting clean energy adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Solar

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